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The tiny, hard-to-find mud snail that acts as an intermediate host for liver fluke in sheep and cattle

Dr Rhys Jones, who was involved in the research during his PhD, said: “Interventions such as fencing and draining can be costly.

“By specifying which habitats pose the most immediate risk, it’s hoped these maps will help farmers make informed livestock management decisions – especially as the threat of anthelmintic resistance grows.”

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'We found six fluke hotspots on out farm'

DNA testing on the study's sole dairy farm revealed high levels of fluke risk, with potential implications for its milk production.

Six snail habitats were identified at 120-acre Hafod Farm near Llandysul, Ceredigion , which Liam and Annie James farm in partnership with Annie’s father, Clive Lott.

Both liver and rumen fluke were detected – with levels of rumen fluke the highest recorded by the IBERS Aberystwyth research team.

“Given the number of snails seen in the habitats, and the sizeable nature of these habitats, it’s reasonable to conclude they pose a significant risk of infection to livestock,” said study leader Dr Hefin Williams.

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DNA tests revealed fluke was more of a problem than Liam and Annie James had imagined - they're pictured at Hafod Farm with daughter Buddug

The family, who are in their fourth year of farming at Hafod and, although they are aware that poor drainage has resulted in some very wet areas, they were completely taken aback by the sampling results.

“We’d had reports from the abattoir of liver fluke in a couple of cull cows,” said Liam.

“But we were completely unaware that we had rumen fluke in the herd.

“Liver fluke and the juvenile stages of rumen fluke can affect milk yield but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at a cow whether she was infected.”